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Laura Figi

Senior Newsletter Editor

Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.

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A view of the COTA tower and race track.
Events
Watch the Formula 1 US Grand Prix at these local watch parties
The big race is almost here, and even if you don’t have tickets to watch in person, you can catch the race in style at one of these admission-free parties.
October 16, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_GreatAmericanBeerFestival
Food
How to taste the best local beers of 2025
The 2025 Great American Beer Festival awards are here and Austin-area brews took home the gold, so get ready to taste them for yourself.
October 16, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A small outdoor micro gallery painted light blue with a clear acrylic roof. Inside, miniature colorful artworks are displayed, including illustrations and paintings, with one piece propped on a tiny easel. The setting features greenery and a residential background.
Culture
How to find a Free Little Art Gallery near you
At these 10 miniature art galleries in the Austin area, you can take a piece of art or leave one for your neighbors to love.
October 15, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_SpiritHalloween
Culture
8 Spirit Halloween stores open in the Austin area
The store finds vacant retail spaces and signs temporary leases to set up shop leading up to Halloween — but locations can change each year.
October 14, 2025
 · 
Michael Beausoleil
ATX_Cheer up charlie
Culture
Cheer Up Charlies acquired by Florida hospitality group
The LGBTQ+ bar, which was in danger of closing earlier this year, is now poised to become a larger brand across the state.
October 14, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A nighttime scene featuring a pathway lined with glowing jack-o'-lanterns hanging from trees. The lanterns illuminate the dark forest, casting an eerie yet enchanting atmosphere. A group of silhouetted people, including adults and children, walk toward the glowing lights, with mist rising in the background, enhancing the haunting, Halloween-like setting.
Events
12 Halloween events to check out in Austin
Themed cocktails, mad science experiments, haunted houses, and pumpkin carving await you throughout the whole month in Austin.
October 13, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A large crowd browses tables stacked with books under a white event tent. People of various ages flip through pages, chat, and examine titles. The tables are neatly arranged with colorful book covers, and the atmosphere is lively and bustling.
Events
Matthew McConaughey, R.L. Stine, and Chelsea Handler will headline the 2025 Texas Book Festival
The annual free book festival shared the full lineup of 300+ authors, here are a few we’re most excited to hear from in November.
October 9, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACLAtmosphere
Events
ACL Festival tips from a veteran attendee
Don’t go into Weekend Two of ACL Festival blind, but do go in with these tried-and-true tips from someone who has been attending for years.
October 9, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_SkipjackOyster
Food
Raw bar + seafood restaurant Skipjack Oyster is now open in Downtown Austin
The upscale restaurant is a great place to bring folks you want to impress, or just a grab a drink and some fresh-caught oysters.
October 8, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_AsleepattheWheelQA
Culture
‘It’s a great honor': How Asleep at the Wheel became ACL Festival’s annual opening act
Austin-based legacy band Asleep at the Wheel is the only band to have played every single ACL Festival since the event began in 2002.
October 7, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Sabrina Carpenter in a sparkly dress walking through the ACL crowd, reaching out to greet fans as people extend their hands and take photos with phones, with stage lights and security staff visible in the background.
Culture
ACL Festival weekend one headlines you may have missed
Whether you attended the festival or not, we’re looking back at some of the most newsworthy moments that transpired during the first half of the festival.
October 6, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Aerial view of a music festival with groups of people gathered on a grassy field, sitting or walking among tall, colorful flags featuring various abstract designs, during golden hour lighting.
Events
How to enjoy ACL 2025 without going to the festival
No wristband? No problem. There are still plenty of ways to enjoy festival season without shelling out for a ticket.
October 2, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A vibrant brunch spread displayed on a wooden table, featuring dishes like blueberry pancakes with bacon and eggs, smoked salmon with toast, granola with fresh fruit, a sweet potato hash, and a frosted slice of cake. Drinks include an espresso martini, matcha latte, black coffee, and a cocktail garnished with a dried citrus slice. A colorful checkered booth lines the back of the table.
Culture
Restaurant Roundup: New and coming-soon restaurants in Austin
Dining in ATX is always a fresh experience, with new restaurants popping up all the time — and more on the way.
October 1, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_2025ACLFriendshipBracelets
Culture
How to win an ATXtoday x Sea of Beads ACL Festival friendship bracelet
We’re giving away friendship bracelets at both weekends of ACL Festival — here’s how you can secure one for yourself.
September 30, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_RockandRecycle
Culture
ACL Festival helps keep Austin green, according to Austin Parks Foundation CEO Colin Wallis
The annual music festival has partnered with the nonprofit for 20 years to help care for Zilker Park’s Great Lawn, divert recycling, and care for all of ATX’s green spaces.
September 29, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_PiverParkVenue
Real Estate
Developers break ground on new live music venue at River Park
The new venue will fit 4,000 people in southeast Austin and is expected to be delivered in early 2027.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_WatersParkHistoricalMarker
Culture
Flashback Friday: Learn about the hundreds of historical markers in Austin
Let’s take a deeper dive into some of Austin’s historical markers, the significance they hold, and how long they’ve been standing.
September 25, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A crowd of people under the flags at ACL Fest.
Events
Plan Ahead: Don’t miss these events happening in Austin
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
September 24, 2025
 · 
Morgan O’Neal
KCtoday_Map of KC
Real Estate
How well do you know the map of Kansas City?
We’ve got a game for you — test your knowledge of how well you know Kansas City venues by the address alone.
September 24, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACLAtmosphere
Events
Your ultimate guide to attending ACL Festival 2025 like a pro
The countdown is on to Austin’s biggest music festival, and we’re here to help you maximize your wristband.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Overhead view of a concert at Waterloo Amphitheater at night.
Culture
Jam out to hundreds of live music performances this HAAM Day
You have hundreds of sets to choose from this HAAM Day, and your attendance helps make sure Austin-based musicians stay healthy.
September 22, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_StreetParking
City
The best tips for parking in Downtown Austin
Parking in the city doesn’t have to be hard or expensive if you heed these tips from your friendly neighborhood editor at ATXtoday.
September 18, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ChiChaSanChen
Food
27 places to get the best boba tea around Austin
Whether you call it bubble tea or boba tea, we’ve brewed up the list of quali-tea boba shops you have oolong been waiting for.
September 16, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
Rebecca Wright holds her chore coat, a green and white coat made from a vintage quilt, to her left.
Business
Keep Austin local: Share your favorite small business with us
Help us create a growing guide to small businesses by submitting your favorite local makers, restaurants, and professionals, and sharing this page with a friend.
September 15, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_ACLEatsTheMightyCone
Food
ACL Festival adds 17 new vendors to the food lineup
The 2025 edition of the festival will also debut a new food court called ACL Eats South so festival-goers can fill up without missing tunes.
September 15, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_Asleep At The Wheel by Ashley Osborn for ACL W1 2024_121A4648 (1).JPG
Culture
All the Austin-based musicians performing at ACL 2025
Put a few local musicians on your must-see list for ACL 2025 and you may just find a new favorite to put on your playlist.
September 4, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_old6thStreet
Culture
Inside the inaugural VIBE Downtown mini-fest coming to town in September
The Downtown Austin Alliance and Future Front Texas partnered to host the celebration of Old 6th Street and community-building event.
September 2, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
ATX_Koko'sBavarian
Food
Koko’s Bavarian is opening a new brick-and-mortar in South Austin
After closing its east Austin beer hall in 2023, the beer hall conceptualized by Bavarian royalty will debut an expanded menu in a new space this fall.
September 2, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
A pickleball court at Other Racquet Social Club, with a sign reading the name of the business in the background.
Play
Where to play pickleball in Austin
We know you’ve got some skills — now it’s time to show them off.
August 29, 2025
 · 
London Gibson
ATX_FaregroundFootball
Sports
Where to watch the Longhorns’ season opener
Whether you’re looking for big TVs, great drink specials, family-friendly spaces, or $2 hot dogs, we’ve found a local place that is going all out for college football season.
August 28, 2025
 · 
Laura Figi
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